Defensive Back Mike Jones Gets Second Shot With New York Giants

New York Giants, Dave Gettleman
May 21, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman talks to players during practice at Quest Diagnostic Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants are turning to a familiar face to help improve the secondary, but it isn’t Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Rodgers-Cromartie was last seen planning workouts with the Seahawks and the Raiders, but the Giants have found a different player to bring back.

This player, of course, is undrafted rookie Mike Jones. Jones finished his college career not too far from the Meadowlands, in Philadelphia. After starting off at NC Central, Jones played the 2017 season at Temple and played in a total of 13 games for the Owls, finishing the year with eight passes defended and one interception.

He also served as a return man and had 577 kick return yards for an average of 22.2 yards per return. Jones was one of the many players that the Giants brought in as undrafted free agents following the draft, but he failed to make it to training camp and was cut back in June.

At 5’9″, size may be one of the reasons why Jones went undrafted and then failed to make the team’s roster going into training camp. However, the Giants are rightfully desperate for help at the position after rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield was able to shred the secondary for two touchdowns and more than 200 yards in the first game of the preseason.

The Giants have the roster space to complete the move after defensive tackle Kristjan Sokoli was moved to the injured reserve list after his ACL injury in the opening game. Sokoli, who was notably born in Albania, has played for a different team every year and signed a reserve contract with the Giants in January after being signed to the practice squad in late December.